Synthesis and characterization of IUdR loaded PEG/PCL/PEG polymersome in mixed DCM/DMF solvent: Experimental and molecular dynamics insights into the role of solvent composition and star architecture in drug dispersion and diffusion

Click Chemistry in Polymersome Technology

Polymersomes, self-assembled nanoparticles composed of amphiphilic block copolymers, have emerged as promising versatile nanovesicles with various applications, such as drug delivery, medical imaging, and diagnostics. The integration of click chemistry reactions, specifically the copper [I]-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), has greatly expanded the functionalisation and bioconjugation capabilities of polymersomes and new drugs, being this synergistic combination explored in this review. It also provides up-to-date examples of previous incorporations of click-compatible moieties (azide and alkyne functional groups) into polymer building blocks, enabling the "click" attachment of various functional groups and ligands, delving into the diverse range of click reactions that have been reported and employed for polymersome copolymer synthesis and the modification of polymersome surfaces, including ligand conjugation and surface modification. Overall, this review explores the current state-of-the-art of the combinatory usage, in recent years, of polymersomes with the click chemistry reaction, highlighting examples of studies of their synthesis and functionalisation strategies.

Radio-sensitivity enhancement in HT29 cells through magnetic hyperthermia in combination with targeted nano-carrier of 5-Flourouracil

Normal tissue complication and development of radioresistance in cancer cells are known as the main challenges of ionizing radiation treatment. In the current study, we intended to induce selective radiosensitization in HT29 cancer cells by developing folic acid modified magnetic triblock copolymer nanoparticles as carrier of 5-Flourouracil (5-FU) which was further used in combination with hyperthermia. The aforementioned nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC), UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta sizer, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These nanoparticles were also assessed to determine drug loading capacity (DLC %) and drug release profile. The cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated on two different cell lines: HUVEC and HT29. Furthermore, radiosensitivity induction of the nanoparticles with and without exposure of alternative magnetic field was investigated. MTT-based cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the therapeutic ratio was enhanced in response to using 5-FU-loaded nanoparticles as compared to 5-FU. Various characterizations including gene expression study, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Annexin V/PI staining, and clonogenic assay revealed that ionizing radiation in combination with hyperthermia in the presence of the synthesized nanoparticles led to maximal anti-cancer effects as compared to other single (P < 0.001) and combined treatments (P < 0.01). Our results suggested that combined treatment based on using folic acid modified magnetic copolymer nanoparticle as carrier of 5-FU accompanied with hyperthermia could be proposed as an efficient approach to enhance radiation effects in cancer cells.

Application of Nanotechnology in Wood-Based Products Industry: A Review

Wood-based industry is one of the main drivers of economic growth in Malaysia. Forest being the source of various lignocellulosic materials has many untapped potentials that could be exploited to produce sustainable and biodegradable nanosized material that possesses very interesting features for use in wood-based industry itself or across many different application fields. Wood-based products sector could also utilise various readily available nanomaterials to enhance the performance of existing products or to create new value added products from the forest. This review highlights recent developments in nanotechnology application in the wood-based products industry.

Innovative Wood Surface Treatments Based on Nanotechnology

This work reviewed innovative wood surface treatments based on nanotechnology. It is well documented in the literature that the cell walls of wood present significant porosity; this porosity is on a molecular scale. The main reason for the use of nanotechnology in wood science and technology is the unique characteristic of nano-based materials to effectively penetrate deeply into wood substrates, which, in turns, results in the alteration of their surface chemistry. This subsequently causes an improvement in wood properties. Any potential change in the wood properties due to treatment with nanomaterials is based on the higher interfacial area which is developed due to the treatment. This occurs because the number of particles is significantly reduced to the nanoscale. The nanomaterials improve the properties of wood as a raw material and alter its original features to a limited extent. However, their potential impact on both health and the environment should be addressed by applying tools such as life-cycle assessments. This will avoid mistakes being made in which new technologies are released on the market prior to an impact assessment having been carried out.

Nanomaterials and Chemical Modifications for Enhanced Key Wood Properties: A Review

This work briefly reviews the research milestones in the area of wood chemical modification, focusing on acetylated and furfurylated wood which have been scaled up, and exploits the solutions that nanotechnology can offer to wood protection as an alternative green innovative approach in improving key wood properties, namely the dimensional stability when subjected to a fluctuating moisture content and a susceptibility to biodegradability by microorganisms. Recently, nanomaterials were found to be able applicable in wood science. The target is to improve some special physicochemical characteristics of wood in order to resist extreme conditions (climate, bacteria, etc.), giving an enhanced potentiality. It is well-established that the wood cell wall shows a porosity of molecular scale dimensions; this is caused by the partial filling of spaces between the microfibrils of the cellulose mainly by polyoses and lignin. The small-sized nanoparticles can deeply and effectively penetrate into the wood, altering its surface chemistry, improving its properties, and therefore, resulting in a hyper-performance product.